START the new year off in style at Newtown’s Hafren theatre with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra’s sparkling “A Journey to Vienna” concert at 4pm on Saturday, January 11.

Celebrating some of Europe’s finest music, the orchestra is thrilled to be joined by the American soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams.

Mary Elizabeth is from Philadelphia and studied English Literature at Luther College, Iowa. Her first professional singing engagement was with the national Broadway tour of “Showboat” and she was awarded Seattle Opera’s Artist of the Year in 2011/2012.

She is now a regular guest artist at Seattle Opera and Theater St Gallen, as well as WNO.

Recent engagements have included being Élisabeth de Valois in “Don Carlos” for Opera Vlaanderen; Amelia Un ballo in “Maschera” for WNO; and Abigaille in “Nabucco” for Opéra Dijon and Opéra de Lille.

Under the direction of leader and concertmaster David Adams, they will visit all corners of Europe in works by Offenbach, Mozart, Brahms, Dvorak and, of course, Strauss.

There is more opera in store at The Hafren in February when Mid Wales Opera kick off their spring tour with a new production of Mozart’s comedy “The Marriage of Figaro”.

MWO will be bringing a fresh approach to Mozart’s enduring masterpiece with international performers joined by young talent from the Wales International Academy of Voice.

From the world of popular dance, “Strictly Come Dancing” stars Ian Waite and Vincent Simone will be dancing as “The Ballroom Boys” in March.

If you enjoyed the “Hormonal Housewives” comedy play this year, then look out for “Girls Just want to Have Fun”, from the same writing team, coming to Newtown in April.

And in May, say hello to rock and roll legend Francis Rossi, the founder, lead singer and lead guitarist of Status Quo with more than 50 years of stories to tell. Super VIP tickets allow you to meet him and get souvenirs after the show.